SHOOTING UP EVERYDAY, THE SUREFIRE WAY!

Review by mtuairau

June, 01 2010

Pros: Very affordable with insurance coverage, stock up!

Cons: Somewhat flimsy, use with caution.

Insulin, that is. Yes, I'm an insulin-dependent diabetic and not only shoot up several times a day but two types of insulin, to boot. No, I'm not proud of it and no, I don't enjoy it. Furthermore, it's expensive to be a diabetic as I have been a full-fledged diabetic since 1986. Initially, I began my insulin regimen about 1990 only requiring 5 units per shot, twice a day. I have now graduated, over the years, to 70 units of Lantus once in the morning and follow a sliding scale before every meal and/or snack of Humalog. That's approximately 4-6 shots daily and thus a whole lot of syringes.

How are all these shots tolerable? Well, it's helpful to be able to first afford the syringes. Fortunately, my insurance began to cover the cost a year ago and they are now $6.00 a box for Surecomfort Insulin Syringes 1 cc, 30 Gauge, 1/2" (100) needles which come in 10-10 packs. The ideal way to utilize these needles is for one use only, as they are disposable, and really should only be used once. Having said that, however, I sometimes will use them twice - very carefully. Why?

Well, the Surecomfort Insulin Syringes 1 cc, 30 Gauge, 1/2" (100) needles are flimsy, to say the least. My hands are not always steady due to my neuropathy and can slip if I'm not careful, causing the needle to bend. The issues of broken needles in one's leg or arms is something I don't want to have happen, ever. For the smaller doses, I find I can use the needles twice but no more than that. For the Lantus, I never use it more than once given the large dosages. On some occasions, I have one of my children administer the insulin if my hands are not as steady as they should be. The syringes are made in Korea and manufactured for Allison Medical, Inc. in Colorado.

The cost of these syringes used to run about $20 to $30 per box which made it somewhat difficult to always have them handy. It is a real concern, I believe, for all diabetics but particularly those without insurance. There's the cost of the syringes, strips to take one's blood sugars [astronomically expensive], diabetic meters, the list can go on. Not taking one's blood sugar leads to possible lack of control of the diabetes which can cause numerous complications so that is not an option. Not taking insulin can lead to an even worse fate that I prefer not to entertain at all. At $6.00 per box, I try to buy at least two at time and keep a supply handy.

So do I need these syringes? Absolutely. We are fortunate that there are such syringes that are relatively thin, easy-to-use, disposable, and somewhat affordable for most of us. Especially compared to the old days. I remember watching, as a child, my aunt use a real hypodermic needle and it was terrifying. She was a childhood diabetic and had to do those shots all of her life and I know it was not something she enjoyed either. The Surecomfort Insulin Syringes 1 cc, 30 Gauge, 1/2" (100) needles disposable syringes would have been a welcome sight to her, I'm certain. As well as all the other diabetic paraphernalia for better control. She died at 31 from collapsed kidneys.

As stated on each package, these syringes are non-toxic, non-pyrogenic and latex free. In addition to the use of these syringes, one should also destroy and discard them appropriately. I use an old plastic juice bottle to discard them, wrap tape around the cap, and then discard. I was directed to use this process by my physician in Hawaii several years ago.

It is also important to utilize the correct syringe for each diabetic patient. So following your physician's careful direction is mandatory. I do recommend the Surecomfort Insulin Syringes 1 cc, 30 Gauge, 1/2" (100) needles disposable syringes, but would also recommend shopping around for what is most suitable for one's needs. Thanks for reading and be well.